Attendance down for arts events

December 13, 2009|JACQUELINE TRESCOTT The Washington Post

WASHINGTON Americans are increasingly choosing the Internet and other new media to enjoy the arts, a new national survey has found. Although many adults still like the intimacy of live theater, particularly musical theater, over the past year an estimated 47 million of them chose to watch or listen to music, theater or dance performances online at least once a week. The results of the National Endowment for the Arts survey of arts habits, which were released Thursday, show that although many arts disciplines remain popular, the mode of delivery is rapidly changing. "It sends a message to us that technology is increasing access to the arts, not only to artmaking, but also arts participation," NEA senior deputy chairman Joan Shigekawa said. "Now you are no longer geographically bound to see a live performance. Also, there is something about this technology that emboldens people to express themselves." With the struggling economy and more electronic access to the arts, the survey -- which polled 18,000 adults -- found that live audience attendance has slipped in some sectors. Overall, only 35 percent of adults attended at least one arts performance in the past year, compared to 39 percent in 2002. The study also found that audiences at arts performances remain older, but even older Americans cut back on arts activities, musical theater being a notable exception. Art museums continue to be a popular destination, but not quite as much as in the past. The NEA reported 23 percent of adults went to an art museum, a decline from 26 percent in 2002.